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The name Elon Musk announced for his and Grimes’s first child in May 2020 was X Æ A-12. It was a blend of symbols and personal references the parents explained differently—not a name with one settled pronunciation or a simple dictionary translation. Later coverage reported the spelling as X Æ A-Xii.
What does X Æ A-12 mean?
The parts reflect explanations given by Grimes and Musk. They are the parents’ stated associations, not standard linguistic definitions.
- X: Grimes described it as “the unknown variable.”
- Æ: Grimes called it her “elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence.)” She associated “Ai” with love and artificial intelligence. Vogue reported her explanation.
- A-12: Grimes described this as an aircraft reference associated with speed and non-violence, while Musk said A-12 was his contribution. In the coverage, Musk corrected Grimes’s aircraft designation to SR-71. The disagreement is part of their reported explanation; it does not change the element’s role as an aircraft reference. Vogue and CNN recount the exchange.
- Other associations: Grimes also connected “A” with “Archangel,” her favorite song, and referenced “metal rat.” These are additional personal associations, rather than a literal translation of the full name. CNN reported those details.
How do you pronounce the baby’s name?
The parents did not give matching pronunciation explanations in the cited coverage. Vogue reported Musk saying Æ is pronounced “ash”; Grimes offered a different account. Because the reports do not establish a shared or definitive spoken form, it is more accurate to attribute each explanation than to present one pronunciation as universally accepted. Vogue and CNN cover the differing accounts.
Why did the spelling change?
The name was initially publicized as X Æ A-12. Later coverage described the spelling as X Æ A-Xii and reported that the change accommodated California birth-certificate requirements. ABC reported the change, but the birth certificate itself is not established by that coverage; treat this as a reported spelling and explanation, not a direct reading of the legal record. ABC News reported the later spelling and reason.
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Is this the name of Musk and Grimes’s newest baby?
No. X Æ A-12 refers to the couple’s first child, whose name Musk announced in May 2020. ABC’s 2022 coverage identifies their second child as Exa Dark Sideræl, a separate child with a separate name. The 2020 announcement should not be mistaken for a new birth in 2026. ABC News distinguishes the second child and name.
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